Electrical unit

Abstract

An electrical assembly (100) having a first ground connection (145), a second ground connection (155), and a supply connection (135). The electrical assembly is designed for connecting with an electrical voltage between the supply connection (135) and at least one of the ground connections (145, 155). The assembly (100) includes a first electrical consumer (110) which is connected to the supply connection (135) and the first ground connection (145). A component (120) connects the second ground connection (155) to the first consumer (110). The component (120) is designed to produce a predetermined voltage drop.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical assembly comprising:
 a first ground connection; 
 a second ground connection; 
 a supply connection; 
 the assembly being designed for connection with an electrical voltage between the supply connection and at least one of the first and the second ground connections; 
 a first electrical consumer being connected to the supply connection and the first ground connection; 
 a component for connecting the second ground connection to the first electrical consumer; 
 the component being designed to produce a predetermined voltage drop; 
 a device for determining a current flowing through the second ground connection; and 
 a control device for controlling a current taken up by the assembly as a function of the determined current. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is designed to produce the voltage drop independently of a current flowing through the component. 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a semiconductor. 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the component comprises a diode. 
     
     
       5. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the control device is designed to reduce the current taken up by the assembly when the determined current exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
       6. The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second electrical consumer which is connected to the supply connection and the first ground connection; and
 the control device is designed to reduce the current flowing through the second electrical consumer as a function of the determined current. 
 
     
     
       7. The assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and the second electrical consumers are connected to one another by a communication line. 
     
     
       8. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical consumer is designed to control a safety-relevant function. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle incorporating the assembly according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. An electrical assembly comprising:
 first and second ground connections; 
 a supply connection being connected to an electrical power supply; 
 the assembly being configured for connection with an electrical voltage between the supply connection and at least one of the first and the second ground connections; 
 a first electrical consumer being connected to the supply connection and the first ground connection; 
 a component connecting the second ground connection to the first electrical consumer, and the component being configured to produce a predetermined voltage drop; 
 a device for determining a current flowing through the second ground connection; and 
 a control device for controlling a current taken up by the assembly as a function of the determined current.